The Jammu and Kashmir government has increased the monthly stipend for MBBS and BDS interns, including Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs), from Rs 12,300 to Rs 25,000. The revised stipend will be effective from October 1, 2026, according to a notification announced by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) of Jammu and Kashmir.The decision comes after medical interns resumed their agitation on October 20, alleging that the government had failed to honour its written assurance to revise their stipend within the agreed 30-day deadline. The government announced the hike two days after the strike was relaunched, bringing relief to interns who had been demanding an increase in their monthly remuneration.In a post on social media, the CMO said the government had formally notified the enhancement, recognising the contribution of young medical professionals to the region’s healthcare system. The revised amount is intended to provide greater financial support to interns involved in patient care and hospital duties.
J&K medical interns to receive revised stipend from October 1
Under the revised arrangement, eligible MBBS and BDS interns, including FMGs, will receive Rs 25,000 per month instead of the existing Rs 12,300. The increase of Rs 12,700 represents a rise of more than 100% over the previous monthly stipend.The revision addresses a long-standing demand among medical interns, who had pointed to the rising cost of accommodation, food, transportation and other essential expenses. According to reports, the stipend had remained unchanged since 2019, despite changes in living costs over the intervening years.Medical interns undertake clinical duties as part of their compulsory training, working in healthcare facilities while gaining practical experience in patient management and treatment. The stipend increase is expected to offer additional financial support during this period of training.
Why did MBBS interns restart their strike?
The latest agitation followed an alleged delay in implementing the government’s earlier assurance to increase the stipend. According to reports, the administration had given a written commitment to address the demand within 30 days. Interns resumed their strike on October 20 after the deadline reportedly passed without the promised revision.The government subsequently notified the increase, two days after the renewed protest began. The sequence of events brought the prolonged dispute over intern remuneration to a resolution, at least with regard to the announced stipend revision.The demand had gained traction amid concerns that the existing monthly payment was insufficient to meet interns’ essential expenses. Medical trainees had sought a revision that reflected the financial pressures associated with living and working during their internship.
Stipend hike demand also raised at GMC Rajouri
The demand for higher stipends has also surfaced at Government Medical College (GMC) Rajouri. According to media reports, intern doctors at the institution staged a demonstration on September 5, seeking an increase in their monthly remuneration.Reports further indicated that a stipend enhancement committee was constituted in 2023, but the matter had not progressed through further discussions since then.The latest decision by the Jammu and Kashmir government marks a revision of the stipend for MBBS and BDS interns, including FMGs, with effect from October 1. The implementation of the notified increase will be important for eligible trainees who have been awaiting a revision of their monthly financial support.